How Miss SML keeps that body

ELIZABETH HOCK | Laker Weekly

Chinah Helmandollar works out with Jill Muccino, owner of Jazzercise in Hardy.

ELIZABETH HOCK | Laker Weekly

Chinah Helmandollar works out with Jill Muccino, owner of Jazzercise in Hardy.

Related story: Fine Chinah: The first Miss Smith Mountain Lake is hoping for another first at Saturday's Miss Virginia pageant

Physical fitness is a huge part of Chinah Helmandollar's pageant preparation.

Her fitness regimen includes working out with a personal trainer, taking a Jazzercise class at the lake and working out at Gold's Gym in Roanoke. She incorporates some form of cardio, such as walking or swimming, into her routine most days. Helmandollar, who was a preliminary swimsuit winner in last year's Miss Virginia Pageant, said she also lifts 8-pound weights at home.

"I've never felt weird being on stage in my swimsuit in front of so many people. I think that's because I grew up at the lake wearing my swimsuit every day in the summer, so it feels natural to me. But after working out so much and always watching what I eat, I just want to stand up and tell everyone, 'Look at this. I put so much work into this,' so I'm proud of myself," she said.

Helmandollar carefully monitors her diet and food intake, although she's sometimes tempted by the occasional sweet or sugary food, she admitted. She eats meals that are high in protein and low in carbs, sugars and fat. A typical meal might consist of Greek yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast, half a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread for lunch or dinner, and grapes or string cheese for a snack.

"I love to eat, so it's not fun to always have to watch what I take in," she said. "I eat a lot of grilled, bland things now. The day after the pageant, whether I win or lose, I already have my first meal picked out. I'm going to eat a biscuit from Hardee's, a 10-piece chicken nugget from Wendy's and a Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty."

Helmandollar said it was hard at first to stay away from tempting foods, but it's getting easier now that she's in the home stretch. If she gets a craving for something sweet, she will eat it in moderation.

"I'll allow myself something every now and then, like a fun-size candy bar," she said. "I think it's more important to just feel good about your body, and if you feel good about your body you won't constantly worry about what you can eat."

Helmandollar said she thinks it's sad that young girls often have unrealistic body-weight goals. She said she takes pride in being a role model for younger girls both in and out of the pageant world and admires seemingly healthy girls such as Miley Cyrus.

"Girls should have a healthy body attitude like Miley, who says she eats healthy most of the time, but allows herself to splurge some. Of course, we don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but she portrays herself as being a real girl who stays at a healthy weight."

-- Bianca Gentry